Newcastle United take on a familiar face away to Nottingham Forest in the second round of the Carabao Cup tonight (kick-off 8pm).
After facing former players Matz Sels and Chris Wood last season – the latter scoring a hat-trick in the 3-1 win at St James’ Park on Boxing Day – they will see academy graduate Elliot Anderson in opposing colors for the first time.
The Whitley Bay-born midfielder first joined the Magpies aged eight, progressed through the youth ranks before making 55 senior appearances after making his debut in January 2021.
Anderson will undoubtedly be part of Eddie Howe’s first-team plans this campaign, but the club have been reluctant to approve his exit to help meet the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) regulations.
Newcastle sold the 21-year-old for £35m – a joint club-record sale alongside Andy Carroll’s move to Liverpool 13 years ago – and signed Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos for an undisclosed fee as Forest also dealt with their PSR situation.
Anderson made his first start for Nuna Espirito Santo’s side in Saturday’s win at Southampton, a game which Howe saw as a build-up to a cup tie. The United boss praised Anderson’s performance but admitted it was “full of sadness”.
Howe said: “Watching them play in the build-up to this…it was good to see Elliot play so well against Southampton, I thought he was excellent and really contributed to their winning game in midfield, he showed his versatility and thought he did really well.
“But it was tinged with sadness for me because we lost an outstanding player and person from the group. We wish him well, but of course we will face him in this game.”
Howe is fully aware of the threat Anderson – and Nottingham Forest – will pose.
“A big challenge. They started the season well and from the games we saw they deserved the points they have. I think under Nuno we saw a slow development, a very effective counter style with a lot of pace and physicality in the team , so I think we’re in for another tough game, always at the City Ground.
“Both teams will want to push on, it’s an important game for both of them. They’ll be confident, we’ll be confident – it’s set to be a good game.”